Methods and Assemblies for Detecting a Sticking Point Along a Toolstring in Downhole Environment

ABSTRACT

An assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking includes a downhole tool. A release device is connected with the downhole tool, and a tension measurement device adjacent the release device. The tension measurement device can detect a change in tension when a lifting force is applied to a stuck toolstring, and the release device can be activated if a change of tension is detected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatus for detectinga sticking point.

BACKGROUND

During conveyance of tools into a wellbore or running a tool out of awellbore, portions of the toolstring may get stuck in hole. A stucktoolstring can cause significant down time. Additionally, there is ahigh probability of losing the toolstring in hole.

SUMMARY

An example assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and locationof the sticking includes at least one module. A release device isconnected with the module, and a tension measurement device is adjacentthe release device.

An example system for detecting sticking of a toolstring and location ofthe sticking includes a conveyance. The conveyance is connected with atoolstring. The toolstring includes at least one module and a tensionmeasurement device adjacent a release device.

An example method for detecting a location of sticking on a toolstringincludes applying a lifting force to a stuck toolstring that has arelease device and tension measurement device. The method also includesdetecting if there is a change in tension on the toolstring using thetension measurement device, and activating the release device if achange in tension is measured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example assembly for detecting sticking of atoolstring and location of the sticking.

FIG. 2 depicts an example system for detecting sticking of a toolstringand location of the sticking.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of operation of the system for detectingsticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking.

FIG. 4 depicts another example of operation of the system for detectingsticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking.

FIG. 5 depicts an additional example of operation of the system fordetecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and describedin detail below. In describing these examples, like or identicalreference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. Thefigures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certainviews of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematicfor clarity and/or conciseness.

An example assembly for detecting sticking of a toolstring and locationof the sticking can include at least one module. The module can be alogging tool, a milling tool, a debris removal tool, a shifting tool, atractor, other downhole tools, an electronics module, a communicationmodule, a hydraulic module, the like, or combinations thereof.

A release device can be connected with the module. The release devicecan be an electrical controlled release device, a hydraulicallycontrolled release device, an explosive type release device, or thelike. The release device can be activated by a signal sent from acontrol system at the surface or otherwise actuated.

A tension measurement device can be adjacent the release device. Thetension measurement device can be a load cell, a strain gauge, or othernow know or future known tension measurement devices. The tensionmeasurement device can be in communication with the surface using anynow know or future known telemetry. One skilled in the art with the aidof this disclosure would know how to communicate the tension measurementdevice with the surface.

An example method for detecting a location of sticking on a toolstringcan include applying a lifting force to a stuck toolstring that has arelease device and tension measurement device. The lifting force can beapplied to the stuck toolstring by lifting on a connected conveyance.The release device and tension measurement device can be incommunication with surface control equipment.

The method also includes detecting if there is a change in tension onthe toolstring using the tension measurement device, and activating therelease device if a change in tension is measured. Detecting if there isa change in tension on the toolstring can be detected by observing asurface read out instrument in communication with the tensionmeasurement device. The release device can be activated using surfacecontrol equipment in communication with the release device. For example,an operator can monitor surface equipment as the lifting force isapplied to the stuck toolstring, if the surface readout in communicationwith the tension measurement device indicates a change in tension, theoperator can issue a command to actuate the release device.

FIG. 1 depicts an example assembly for detecting sticking of atoolstring and location of the sticking. The assembly 100 includes afirst module 140. The first module 140 can be any module, for examplethe first module can include one or more intervention tools,electronics, hydraulics, drives, or the like. Illustrative interventiontools include, but are not limited to, tractors, logging tools, shiftingtools, milling tools, debris removal tools, pumps, sensors, samplingtools, or the like.

The first module 140 can be connected with the tension measurementdevice 130 and release device 120. The tension measurement device 130can be a load cell, a strain gauge, or other now know or future knowntension measurement devices. The release device 120 can be anelectrically controlled release device, hydraulic release device, orother now known or future known release devices.

The apparatus 100 can be integrated with a more complex tool string andconveyed into a wellbore by a conveyance. The conveyance can providecommunication between the release device and the surface. The conveyancecan also provide communication between the tension measurement deviceand the surface. Of course, the apparatus 100 can be conveyed into awellbore by itself using a conveyance.

FIG. 2 depicts an example system for detecting sticking of a toolstringand location of the sticking. The system 200 includes a toolstring 201and a conveyance 202. The conveyance can be wireline, slickline, coiltubing, or the like.

The conveyance 202 can be operatively connected with the toolstring 201to provide power to the toolstring 201. Furthermore, the conveyance 202can enable communication between the toolstring 201 and the surface.

The toolstring 201 can include one or more release devices, three areshown as 220, 222, and 224. The toolstring 201 can also include one ormore tension measurement devices, three are shown as 230, 232, and 234.The toolstring 201 can also include one or more modules, three are shownas 250, 252, and 240.

The conveyance 202 can be connected with the toolstring 201. Forexample, the conveyance 202 can be connected to the toolstring 201 bythe first release device 220. The first release device 220 is adjacentthe first tension measurement device 230. The first tension measurementdevice 230 can be releasable connected with the first release device220. For example, the connection can be by a selectively releasableconnection, such as collets or other known connections. An illustrativerelease device is described in U.S. Pat. No.: 6,431,269, which isincorporated herein in its entirety. Other connections and releasedevices can be used as would be known to one skilled in the art with theaid of this disclosure.

The first tension measurement device 230 can connect with the thirdmodule 250 using any now know or future know connection. For example,the first tension measurement device 230 can be connected with the thirdmodule 250 using mechanical fasteners, a swivel, threaded connections,or other mechanical systems. The third module 250 can be an electronicsmodule, a hydraulic module, one or more intervention tools, one or moresensors, one or more motors, other now know or future known modules, orcombinations thereof.

The third module 250 can be connected with the second release device 222and the second tension measurement device 232. The connections can besimilar to those described herein.

The second release device 222 connects the third module 250 with thesecond module 252. The second module 252 can be can be an electronicsmodule, a hydraulic module, one or more intervention tools, one or moresensors, one or more motors, other now know or future known modules, orcombinations thereof.

The second module 252 is connected with the third tension measurementdevice 234 and the third release device 224. The third release device224 connects the second module 252 with the first module 240. Theconnections can be the same or similar to those described herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of operation of the system for detectingsticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking. The toolstring201 is depicted stuck in a wellbore at sticking point 300. Accordingly,lifting force can be applied to the toolstring 201 by the conveyance 202to detect where on the toolstring 201 the sticking is occurring. Sincethe sticking point is below the first tension measurement device 230 thefirst tension measurement device 230 will detect an increase in tensionwhen lifting force is applied to the toolstring 201. The sticking point,however, is above the second tension measurement device 232 and thethird tension measurement device 234. Accordingly, the tensionmeasurement devices 232 and 234 will not detect an increase in tension.Therefore, an operator monitoring surface readout equipment at thesurface can see that the tension measurement devices 232 and 234 did notmeasure an increase in tension, and the operator is informed to activatethe first release device 220. Actuation of the first release device 220separates the conveyance 202 and first release device 220, allowing theconveyance 202 and the first release device 220 to be pulled out of holewhile the rest of the toolstring 201 remains in the hole.

FIG. 4 depicts another example of operation of the system for detectingsticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking. The toolstring201 is depicted stuck in hole at sticking point 300; however, this timethe sticking point 300 is located between the second tension measurementdevice 232 and the third tension measurement device 234. Accordingly,the second tension measurement device 232 and first tension measurementdevice 230 will detect an increase in tension when a lifting force isapplied to the toolstring by lifting on the conveyance 202, and thethird tension measurement device 234 will not detect an increase intension. Accordingly, an operator at the surface viewing a surfacereadout will be able to detect that the tension measurement devices 230and 232 detected an increase in tension, whereas the third tensionmeasurement device 234 did not. As such, the operator will know that thesticking point is located below the second release device 222 and abovethe third release device 224; therefore, the operator can issue acommand to activate the second release device 222. The activation of thesecond release device will separate the second module 252 from thesecond release device 222, allowing the portion of the toolstring 201above the second release device 222 to be returned to surface while thestuck portion below the second release device 222 remains in the hole.

FIG. 5 depicts an additional example of operation of the system fordetecting sticking of a toolstring and location of the sticking. Thetoolstring 201 is depicted stuck in the well. This time the stickingpoint 300 is below the third tension measurement device 234.

As such, all three tension measurement devices 230, 232, and 234 willdetect an increase in tension when lifting force is applied to theconveyance 202. Accordingly, an operator at the surface monitoring thesurface readout equipment will detect that all three tension measurementdevices 230, 232, and 234 detected an increase in tension, thereby,knowing that the sticking point is below the third release device 224.The operator, therefore, can issue a signal to release the third releasedevice 224, thereby, separating the third release device 224 from thefirst module 240, allowing the portion of the toolstring above the thirdrelease device 224 to be retrieved to the surface while the first module240 remains in hole.

In one or more embodiments, the detecting and activating can beperformed by a processor at the surface. The processor can be configuredto monitor one or more tension measuring devices in the toolstring, andwhen the toolstring is stuck and a lifting force is applied to thetoolstring the processor can identify the tension measuring devices thatmeasure and increase in tension, and then release the lowest mostrelease device adjacent the lowest most tension measuring device thatmeasured an increase in tension.

Although example assemblies, methods, systems have been describedherein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. Onthe contrary, this patent covers every method, nozzle assembly, andarticle of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appendedclaims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for detecting sticking of atoolstring and location of the sticking, wherein the apparatuscomprises: at least one module; a release device connected with themodule; and a tension measurement device adjacent the release device. 2.The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tensionmeasurement devices and release devices, wherein each release device ofthe plurality of release devices has a tension measurement device of theplurality of tension measurement devices located adjacent thereto. 3.The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of modulesconnected with one another.
 4. A system for detecting sticking of atoolstring and location of the sticking, wherein the system comprises: aconveyance; and a toolstring connected with the conveyance, wherein thetoolstring comprises at least one module and a tension measurementdevice adjacent a release device.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein thetoolstring comprises a plurality of tension measurement devices andrelease devices, wherein each release device of the plurality of releasedevices is adjacent a tension measurement device of the plurality oftension measurement devices.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein thetoolstring comprises a plurality of modules.
 7. A method of fordetecting a location of sticking on a toolstring, wherein the methodcomprises: applying a lifting force to a stuck toolstring, wherein thetoolstring has a release device and tension measurement device;detecting if there is a change in tension on the toolstring using thetension measurement device; and activating the release device if achange in tension is measured.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising detecting if there is a change of tension in multipleportions of the stuck toolstring when lifting force is applied to thetoolstring, using a plurality of spaced apart tension measuring devices,wherein each tension measurement device of the plurality of tensionmeasurement devices has a release device adjacent thereto.
 9. The methodof claim 8, further comprising activating the release device that isadjacent the last tension measuring device to detect a change intension.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising retrieving theportion of the toolstring connected to the activated release device. 11.The method of claim 10, further comprising leaving a portion of thetoolstring that is released from the activated release device in hole.